Baltimore Lifeboat Station

Baltimore Lifeboat Station is located at Bull Point, near Baltimore, County Cork, on the south-west coast of Ireland.

A lifeboat station was established here by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1919.

The station currently operates a Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat, 16-22 Alan Massey (ON 1302), on station since 2012, and a B-class Inshore lifeboat, Rita Daphne Smyth (B-910), on station since 2018.

History
The station was established in 1919 and a masonry lifeboat house and slipway were constructed at Bull Point. This was used for all of the station's lifeboats until 2012, being adapted and upgraded over the years for newer lifeboats.

In August 1979, during the 1979 Fastnet race, the lifeboat rescued two yachts, Regardless and Marionette.

In October 1985, the lifeboat rescued the Irish Leader of the Opposition, Charles Haughey, when his yacht sank at the Mizen Head.

In August 2011, the Baltimore lifeboat 'Hilda Jarret' was involved in the rescue of the yacht Rambler 100 that capsized south of the Fastnet Rock when taking part in the Fastnet Race. 21 crew, including its skipper, George David, were recovered either from the upturned hull, or from the water.

With the arrival of the new Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat in 2012, the decision was taken not to rebuild the boathouse to take the larger boat. Instead a mooring pen was dredged alongside the boathouse, and the lifeboat is kept afloat. The boathouse has been reconfigured to provide enhanced crew facilities.

Notable rescues
Baltimore lifeboat was called to the fishing vessel Japonica, 13 miles west of Fastnet Rock, at 5pm on the 30 October 1991. After battling storm Force 10 conditions for over 2 hours, the lifeboat arrived on scene, and after a tow was finally established, the boat was brought to the shelter of Bantry Bay just after 6am.

Putting into Castletownbere for repairs, the lifeboat was once again tasked to the 60ft Sailing boat Atlantic Adventurer south of Fastnet Rock. Setting out at 1.25pm, into Force 9 conditions, the lifeboat arrived on scene at 4pm, and after setting up a tow, arrived back to Baltimore at 6:50pm. Coxswain Kieran Cotter was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal

Station honours
The following are awards made to the crew of Baltimore Lifeboat Station


 * RNLI Silver Medal
 * The Venerable Archdeacon J R H Becher, Honorary Secretary at Baltimore - 1917
 * Lieut. A L Sanderson RNR - 1917


 * John Daly - 1917
 * Tim Daly - 1917
 * Michael Cadogan - 1917
 * Tim Cadogan - 1917


 * John Hart - 1918


 * RNLI Bronze Medal
 * Timothy Murphy - 1918
 * Jeremiah McCarthy - 1918


 * Kieran Cotter, Coxswain - 1992


 * The Maud Smith Award 1991 (for the bravest act of lifesaving during the year by a member of a lifeboat crew)
 * Kieran Cotter, Coxswain - 1992


 * Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
 * Vincent O’Driscoll, Assistant Mechanic
 * Ronald Carthy, crew member - 1992
 * Michael O’Regan, crew member - 1992
 * Aidan Bushe, crew member - 1992
 * Cairán Sweeney, crew member - 1992


 * A special framed certificate in recognition of their services
 * Coxswain and crew - 1979 (Fastnet Race)